Incase 15-inch Evan Hecox Sleeve

Art is the new black

When it comes to things like MacBook sleeves and iPhone cases, we don’t often go for flash. Basic black works just fine. It coordinates with everything, doesn’t show dirt, and works for business or casual settings.

But black gets a bit dull. Sometimes you need a splash of color or the visual variety of a pattern. Especially for guys (who don’t have as much opportunity as ladies to add unique accents in their wardrobes), it’s refreshing to be able to outfit your tech gear with a bit more panache. Enter Incase and L.A. art collective Arkitip (arkitip.com), who have teamed up to offer a series of MacBook Pro sleeves and iPhone cases printed with original art by Evan Hecox, whose gorgeous work focuses on “average people as they traverse the modern metropolis.”

Evan Hecox sketched New York on this eye-catching MacBook Pro sleeve.

The 15-inch Evan Hecox MacBook Pro sleeve--we tested the New York design--is sturdily constructed of cushy faux leather with dual YKK zippers on the long side. A slippery black lining keeps the MacBook protected from scratches and makes sliding it in and out a cinch. The pleather exterior wipes clean easily--as we discovered after an unfortunate Starbucks incident. We just wish the sleeve came in 17- and 13-inch sizes and that this artful accessory wasn’t quite so pricey.